E-cadherin is a Ca2+-dependent epithelial cell-cell adhesion molecule.
Downregulation of E-cadherin expression often correlates with strong
invasive potential and poor prognosis of human carcinomas. By using re
combinant lambda phage, cosmid, and P1 phage clones, we isolated the f
ull-length human E-cadherin gene (CDH1). The gene spans a region of ap
proximately 100 kb, and its location on chromosome 16q22.1 was confirm
ed by FISH analysis. Detailed restriction mapping and partial sequence
analysis of the gene allowed us to identify 16 exons and a 65-kb long
intron 2. The intron-exon boundaries are highly conserved in comparis
on with other ''classical cadherins.'' In intron 1 we identified a 5'
high density CpG island that may be implicated in transcription regula
tion during embryogenesis and malignancy. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc
.